Winning your fantasy football league isn’t just about nailing your top picks. It’s about uncovering overlooked hidden gems that can give you a real competitive edge.
Check out these 10 deep fantasy football sleepers by position, all with an average draft position (ADP) beyond pick 250, perfect for queuing up in your fantasy drafts. Don’t miss these potential league winners.
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Fantasy Football Sleepers & Lottery Tickets: Running Backs
Running Back
Jacory Croskey-Merritt (RB – WSH) | ADP: 274 (RB84)
Every Jacory Croskey-Merritt rush, route, target, and pass blocking rep from his preseason debut. pic.twitter.com/ilEtWdbbeH
– Nick Penticoff (@NickPenticoff) August 9, 2025
The seventh-round rookie is the buzz of Commanders camp and fantasy circles. Dynasty managers are eager to snag him in their rookie drafts. Jacory Croskey-Merritt has been turning heads in camp with his agility and sharp vision. His draft stock took a hit due to eligibility issues, but he still managed an impressive 7.2 yards per carry during his college career.
Croskey-Merritt is currently third on the Commanders’ running back depth chart, but that seems temporary. Ahead of him are Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler, both of whom have missed games in back-to-back seasons. Neither is particularly impressive. Robinson is solid but not exceptional. While Ekeler remains effective catching passes out of the backfield, he doesn’t pose much of a threat to defenses as a runner.
Commanders insider Ben Standig has a bold prediction that Robinson won’t make the Week 1 roster:
“I’m gonna guess Brian Robinson is not on the Week 1 roster. I have no insight into that … If Croskey-Merritt’s on this team, I just don’t know how you’re sitting him.”
The running back room is wide open in Washington. Croskey-Merritt is taking advantage, including earning reps with the Commanders’ first-team offense. Jump on the bandwagon now as his draft stock continues to soar.
Isaiah Davis (RB – NYJ) | ADP: 283 (RB88)
The New York Jets have a trio of very talented running backs, led by Breece Hall (for now?), and sophomore running backs Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis. Hall is known for his breakaway speed and big-play ability. Allen is a 235-pound bruiser, while Davis makes plays as a runner and receiver with excellent vision and good hands in the passing game.
Davis had just 30 carries last season but managed an impressive 5.8 yards per carry (YPC), with eight of those runs going for 10+ yards, outperforming Hall (4.2 YPC) and Allen (3.6 YPC). Davis stood out even more in yards per carry after contact, averaging 3.6 compared to Hall and Allen, who both averaged 2.1. The Jets are planning to go with a committee approach in the backfield in a run-heavy offense, which will include dual-threat starting quarterback Justin Fields.
There’s a lot of talk in training camp about Hall being traded due to the talented running backs waiting in the wings. If Davis continues to impress, the Jets might consider trade offers for Hall to give Davis a chance to show off his explosive play potential. Hall could also be dealt midseason, sparking a waiver wire frenzy for Davis. Fantasy managers need to stay ahead of the competition. Drafting Davis as a sleeper poised for a breakout season could be a winning move.
Ollie Gordon II (RB – MIA) | ADP: 258 (RB77)
Ollie Gordon, a sixth-round rookie from Oklahoma State, is gaining attention with his rising stock following an impressive preseason debut and the buzz surrounding his strong performance in training camp. Gordon is preparing for a bigger role and aiming to climb the running back depth chart following Alexander Mattison‘s season-ending neck surgery.
In 2023, Gordon earned the Doak Walker Award with an impressive 1,723 yards and 21 touchdowns. In 2024, his performance declined, recording 880 yards and 13 touchdowns, which caused Gordon to slip to the sixth round. Gordon showcases power, speed and impressive pass-catching skills, with 80 career collegiate receptions.
Gordon was already a rising rookie with his impressive performance in training camp. Now, with Mattison sidelined, his value is set to increase as he gains the trust of head coach Mike McDaniel. The Dolphins will rely on the dynamic De’Von Achane for primary running back duties, but he struggles with efficiency at the goal line.
This is where Gordon becomes a valuable option, particularly for goal-line work. Gordon could also see increased opportunities if Jaylen Wright continues to struggle. Recent news and his latest impressive performance are sure to boost Gordon’s ADP. Fantasy managers need to jump on the Gordon train now.
Sean Tucker (RB – TB) | ADP: 259 (RB78)
Every Sean Tucker run from his first preseason game (Year 3) https://t.co/o6ya4XnjP7 pic.twitter.com/AQDq132LXZ
– Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) August 11, 2025
Sean Tucker shined in Saturday’s preseason opener after Rachaad White left the game with a groin injury in the first quarter. Tucker carried the ball 13 times for 50 yards and scored a touchdown in the first half. Tucker is getting a bunch of touches in training camp. Bucs coaches have been saying since last year that they need to get Tucker the ball more:
“Sean brings us another explosive runner,” said head coach Todd Bowles. “He’s a game-breaker for us. He’s got very good contact balance, he can break a lot of tackles, and he can naturally find holes. He has great vision, and every opportunity he’s gotten, he’s shown. Like I keep telling the guys on offense, we’ve got to give him the ball more.”
The former Syracuse running back finished last season with 308 yards on the ground on 50 rushing attempts with two touchdowns in 17 games. The Syracuse product is currently the third-string back in Tampa Bay behind budding superstar Bucky Irving and White.
However, when White was inactive in Week 6 last season, Tucker exploded for 192 total yards and two touchdowns while sharing time with Irving. Furthermore, Tucker finished first in true yards per carry (5.7) and ninth with a +20.6 expected points added (EPA) among all running backs, per PlayerProfiler.
It seems Tampa Bay might be planning to utilize all three backs. White has averaged 1,100 yards and seven touchdowns over his three-year career. Fortunately, it appears White has avoided a long-term injury, but Tucker is likely to see more touches while White recovers. Tucker seems ready to step in as the No. 2 RB, with White possibly moving on. Make sure to target Tucker in all of your fantasy football drafts and auctions.
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Dennis Sosic is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Dennis, check out his archive & follow him @CALL_ME_SOS.
